Patients love Invisalign treatment for lots of reasons, not the least because of its convenience. Because aligners are removable, you’ll be able to eat a lot of the same foods as you did before.
That said, orthodontic treatment represents a pretty big life change, and Invisalign is no exception. If you’re starting this treatment soon, it may be a good idea to get prepared. Here are a few things you can do to get ready before you start Invisalign treatment.
Manage Your Snacking
Once you start wearing your aligners, you’ll be taking them out at meals. However, you’re also going to need to wear your aligner for 20-22 hours a day to see results. That means that snacking often might not be possible during your Invisalign treatment.
If you have a habit of grazing throughout the day, you may want to address that now before beginning Invisalign treatment.
Brush After Meals
There aren’t any diet restrictions that come with the treatment because you’ll be removing your aligners before meals anyway. The trade-off, however, is that what you eat can be trapped in your aligner, feeding the bacteria that sits on your teeth. That’s why you need to brush and floss after every meal before you put your aligner back in.
Starting that habit now will not only prepare you for the treatment itself, but it’ll also improve your oral health in general.
Get a Travel Dental Kit
Considering that you will be brushing and flossing after every meal, you’re going to have to start carrying dental hygiene equipment when you go out to eat. Carrying a loose toothbrush is hardly ideal, so you can plan ahead by putting together a dental kit that will contain everything you need.
You can buy these at a pharmacy or grocery store, but it might also be a good idea to put one together yourself. Throw your favorite brush, floss, mouthwash, and dental wax into a personalized case you’d be happy to carry with you!
By preparing now, you can be in a much better position when you finally start your Invisalign treatment. That’ll bring you that much closer to the smile of your dreams.
About the Author
For the last 15 years, Dr. J. Travis Kobza has made it his mission to provide his patients with the best oral healthcare that dentistry has to offer. He does this with a level of care and compassion that can put any patient at ease. Dr. Kobza received his dental degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, then completed a one-year General Practice Residency program at UNMC Omaha.
If you have any questions about Invisalign treatment, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (402) 245-2243.